Big B turns 71, Bollywood salutes his energy

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who continues to entertain movie buffs even after over four decades of his association with the world of entertainment, turned 71 Friday. Bollywood celebrities saluted his energy and spirit, which, as one said is like a 17-year-old's.

Celebrities like Irrfan Khan, Dhanush and Preity Zinta have also picked their favourite songs of the thespian, whose filmography includes memorable films like "Kabhi Kabhie", "Zanjeer", "Sholay", "Abhimaan", "Silsila", "Shahenshah", "Baghban", "Mohabbatein" and "Paa".

Here's what the celebrities have wished for the actor, who is lovingly called Big B.

Irrfan Khan: God bless Mr. Bachchan's spirit and energy. My three favourite songs of Mr. Bachchan are "Kabhi kabhie mere dil mein khayaal aata hai" ("Kabhi Kabhie"), "Rang barse" ("Silsila") and "Tum bhi chalo hum bhi chalen" ("Zameer").

Ayushmann Khurrana: He's playing the best innings that an actor could ever play. He's like the Sachin Tendulkar of Indian cinema. He's not only ahead of his contemporaries, he's also ahead of all current superstars. A perfect representative of Indian cinema. He's evolved with the changing times. That's what makes him a true legend. My three favourite songs of him? "Chhoo kar mere mann ko" ("Yaarana"), "Khaike paan banaras wala" ("Don") and "Teri bindiya re" ("Abhimaan").

Preity Zinta: The Big B just gets better and better with time. His innings is just never-ending. I am close to the entire family. Aishwarya, Abhishek, Jaya aunty...I can't say I'm that close to Amit uncle. He is just so...up there, so distant and so mysterious. I am intimidated and awed by him. I've worked with him in three films. I had some meaty scenes with him in "Veer-Zaara" and Rituparno Ghosh's "The Last Lear". Believe me it was a learning experience. My favourite songs? "Kabhi kabhie mere dil mein" ("Kabhi Kabhie"), "Rang barse" ("Silsila") and "Choo kar mere man ko" ("Yaarana"). The songs are a good indication of his awesome versatility.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Hazaaron saal jiye aap, swasth rahen (May you live for thousands of years and remain healthy). My favourite songs of Bachchan sahab are "Neela aasman so gaya" ("Silsila"), "Do lafzaon ki hai dil ki kahaani" ("The Great Gambler") and "Rimjhim gire saawan" ("Manzil").

Jackie Shroff: He is one cool dude. My favourite songs of Mr. Bachchan are "Yeh kahaan aa gaye hum" ("Silsila"), "My name is Anthony Gonzalves" ("Amar Akbar Anthony") and "Aaj rapat jaayen" ("Namak Halaal").

Dhanush: Before I tell you my three favourite songs of Bachchan sahab, let me tell you an incident about him. I was in Africa shooting for a film. A local asked me where I was from. When I said 'India', he said he knows three things about India - 'the Taj Mahal, spicy food and Amitabh Bachchan'. That is the kind of legend he is. Many happy returns to one of cinema's greatest icons. My three favourite songs of Bachchan sahab are "Tere mere milan ki yeh raina" ("Abhimaan"), "Kabhi kabhie mere dil mein" ("Kabhi Kabhie") and "Mere angane mein" ("Lawaaris").

Raza Murad: Amitji is turning 71 this year. But his energy level is that of a 17-year-old. That indefatigable energy has kept the Shahenshah going. He is an ageless wonder. My favourite songs of Amitji are "Khaike paan benaras waala" (Don), "Dekha ek khwaab" ("Silsila") and "Inteha ho gayi" ("Sharaabi").